where have all the 73's gone??

[54belair]

Maybe Im wrong, but it seems that a 73 is a very rare item.

Im not really in the market for one, years ago I had a very sweet 73 (my first truck) so, out of curiosity I started doing some searches for 73's------basically nothing turned up!!! Am I right or wrong?
After I get the 68 on the road, I may have to look for the illusive 73 lol!!

[wwillmon]

I just bought a 73 a few weeks ago. After buying it I started searching around a realized there really aren't very many around. It seems like most are around 79-86 models.
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[77ChevySharkBite]

I had read a while back if I'm not mistaken on here to be specific saying that the 73-76 the sheet metal was made thinner than the 77-ups so they rusted easier and so most 73's are rusted away. If I'm not mistaken it was a crisis that GM went through at that point I could be mistaken on the years but I know someone had a similar question a while back it's the only reason I remember it.

Hope it helps! I'm sure someone else will chime in that may give you a more exact answer.

[bigwheel15]

Id chalk it up to being 40 years of work and abuse making em harder to come by than the later years.

[INSIDIOUS '86]

No zinc coating or drain holes and possibly metal problems back then. Makes them hard to find or get
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[54belair]

So, about 76 is when GM got their act together?

I do remember now-- an old friend of mine back then (1975) who was a body man of sorts, told me my 73 pickup was a "GM tin can"---he never explained why he thought that--I just assumed he didnt like chevys!

[INSIDIOUS '86]

I don't know. Before 77 I see hardly any trucks up here in Washington
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[bigblock73]

73 and 75 here, still runnin strong

[Bchain]

Got a 73 stepper that spent most of its life in Washington (but on the dry side of the mountains). Don't know that I can say one way or the other about the sheet metal but mine is, for the most part, good.

Here is hoping rarity will start making our "investments" appreciate (have you looked at the price of a comparable 68-72 pickup?)

Not that I have ever made $ on any project car...
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[wraprail]

73-80 pretty much alike. What is so important about a 73? Most people can't tell the difference.
Put a 73/74 grille in it (they reproduce them now) and nobody will know.
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[bigblock73]

Originally Posted by wraprail

73-80 pretty much alike. What is so important about a 73? Most people can't tell the difference.
Put a 73/74 grille in it (they reproduce them now) and nobody will know.
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Not true

[Brockwaykid]

A friend of mine just got a 73 for his first truck. looks pretty good. my 75 is in fanominal shape rust wise after being in ny its whole life. granted its been off the road since 92.

[MusicMan70]

I got mine from Washington as well.

[ivorton74]

my 74's still up and running great. some rust but not too bad.

[durty harry]

Heres my pops 73GMC doing what it loves to do pulling a loaded trailer

[74 stepside]

Originally Posted by durty harry

Heres my pops 73GMC doing what it loves to do pulling a loaded trailer

Does your 73 have the hd leaf springs?

[74 stepside]

I have a 73 shortbed. I do believe that 73 & 74 Cheyenne Supers are more rare than other squarebodys.

[KQQL IT]

The only original sheet metal on mine is the cab and bed floor. Doors and fenders were rusty. Quarters where bondo sculptures.
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[88Jimmy4x4]

Just because you dont see any 73's for sale doesnt mean they are gone.

My 1976 is still going strong

[Panelman55]

I had a 73, back 20 years ago. It was an old Farm truck. Rotted away when I got it. Thin and no zink, maybe. I do know it ran like a Chevy, 350 four bolt main, 350 turbo. Man wish I still had the running gear. Body was junk. Cab corners, doors, floors, tailgate all rotted away.


Panelman55

[gmachinz]

Locally there's a super clean 74 Silverado 3/4 2WD with the 1.25-ton rated rated suspension,
454/TH400, Mint tan bucket seat/console, gauge package, etc. even the R12 still blows.cold. It was for sale awhile back for $3200 if I recall-rustwise it had just a few pinholes above rear wheel openings and the firewall-floor seam was just starting to seperate-that was it. The box had a topper since day 1 so it was still perfect. Now if just sits outside next to a house....been their for about two years now. It's that red-orange color and looks sharp with tan interior.
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[wraprail]

Originally Posted by bigblock73

Not true

You mean they don't reproduce 73/74 grilles?

[KQQL IT]

That the grille is not the only difference is how I took it.
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[bigblock73]

Correct, there are plenty of ways to spot a 73

[kellydown]

Friend of mine just picked this very sweet 73 Silverado dually, had a camper most of it's life. Inside of the bed has a wood floor and is super straight. Sorry about the pic quality.